According to Roosevelt's standard, what constitutes a moral rich man?

According to President Theodore Roosevelt, a "moral rich man" would be a wealthy individual who acts with a sense of responsibility and ethics, using their wealth and power to contribute positively to society. Roosevelt believed that with great wealth came great responsibility. He felt that a moral rich man should engage in fair business practices, treat employees well, give back to the community through philanthropy, and avoid the corrupt use of money to gain undue influence in politics.

Roosevelt's views on wealth and morality were significantly shaped by the socioeconomic context of the early 20th century, during which large monopolies, also known as trusts, controlled significant portions of the American economy. These trusts often had a negative impact on smaller businesses and the general public, which led Roosevelt to promote "trust-busting" and regulation to level the playing field for all economic participants.

The concept of morality among the wealthy ties into broader themes of social responsibility and ethical stewardship. In Roosevelt's time, the sharp contrast between the extremely wealthy and the poor was causing public concern, and the term "robber barons" was coined to describe some of the rich individuals who were perceived to have achieved their wealth through exploitative practices.

Theodore Roosevelt's perspective on the moral rich man is part of his broader Progressive political philosophy, which emphasized government intervention to protect the public interest, fairness, and the prevention of corruption. Roosevelt advocated for laws and regulations that would curb the excesses of capitalism and ensure that the wealthy contributed their fair share to the welfare of society.

Philanthropy became one way wealthy individuals could demonstrate their sense of responsibility. Some of the most famous philanthropists of that era, such as Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, established foundations and donated huge sums to education, health, and the arts. Carnegie, for example, argued in his "Gospel of Wealth" that the rich have a duty to give away their wealth in ways that promote the public good.

The concept of a moral rich man remains relevant today in discussions about income inequality, corporate social responsibility, and the social roles of the wealthy. It pertains to contemporary debates around the ethics of wealth accumulation and distribution, the impact of large corporations on society, and the philanthropic responsibilities of the super-rich.